How many times have you read through a description of either a waiting child, or a pregnant mother who is consider placing a child for adoption, and wondered…What do all of these abbreviations mean? I remember when we were new perspective adoptive parents, PAPs, we were very confused about the meanings of all the initials. In fact, we probably wasted the time of some adoption professionals, by checking into situations that we would not be able to consider, because we didn’t know the code.

Please share this list with anyone you know who is just thinking about adoption, and feel free to add to it, I’m sure I have forgotten some.

AA – African American
AA/CC - African American & Caucasian
ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
AIDS – Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
ARND – Alcohol Related Neurodevelopment Disorder
FASD – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
AS – Angelman Syndrome
AS – Asperger Syndrome
ASD – autism spectrum disorder
ASL – American Sign Language
BF – Birth Father
BM – Birth Mother - not preferred
BMOM- Preferred for Birth/first mother
BP – Birth Parents
BR – Biracial
BSD – Broad Spectrum Disorder
CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocate Association
CC – Caucasian
CS – Cystic Fibrosis
CP – Cerebral Palsy
DHS – Department of Human Services
DS – Down Syndrome
FAE – Fetal Alcohol Effect
FAS – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
FC - Foster Care
GAL – Guardian ad litem Guardian ad litem (GAL)
GD – Global Disorder
GERD – gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux disease
G-Tube – gastrostomy tube
HEP +/- – Whether the child or Birth Mother has the Hepatitis Virus or not
HIV – Human immunodeficiency virus
HS – Home Study
IBP – Individual Behavior Plan
ICAMA – Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance
ICPC – Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
ICWA – Indian Child Welfare Act
IEP – Individualized Educational Plan
IEP – Interethnic Placement provisions
INS – Acronym for U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
LD – Learning disabilities
LDS – Latter Day Saints
LTP – Long Term Partner
MD – Muscular Dystrophy
MEPA – Acronym for Multi-Ethnic Placement Act of 1994
MR – Mentally Retarded
NB – New Born
OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
ODD – Oppositional defiant disorder
OI – Osteogenesis Imperfecta
OSAHS - Obstructive Sleep Apnea/hypopnea Syndrome
OT – Occupational Therapy
PAD – Passive Aggressive Disorder
PAP – Potential or prospective Adoptive Parents
PDD – Pervasive Development Disorder
PECS – Picture Exchange Communication System
PT – Physical Therapy
PTSD – Post traumatic stress Disorder
RAD – Reactive Attachment Disorder
SCID – Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease
SN – Special Needs
SSI – Supplemental Security Income
ST – Speech Therapy
TB – Tuberculosis
TPR – Termination of Parental Rights
504c – Individual School Plan based on Medical Diagnosis

Texas website about disabilities
California Website about disabilities
Read more on childhood disorders
What is FAS or FAE
Will my Baby Have Hepatitis C VIRUS
Read more on About Down syndrome (DS)
Pediatric GERD
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